Junior Programme Officer, Sustainable Land Natural Resource Management vacancy at Federal Ministry of Youth Development Cross River State Nigeria 2014

Federal Ministry of Younth Decelopment - Following the approval of His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and in line with youth empowerment programme thrust under the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) invite applications from suitably qualified young Nigerians to participate in the Junior Professional Officers’ Programme (JPO-P) 

The Junior Professional Officers’ Programme (JPO-P) was established in 1963 to provide young professionals pursuing a career in development with hands-on experience in multilateral technical cooperation. It is funded with donations from donor countries. Currently, there are 19 sponsors comprising 16 countries from Europe and 3 from Asia. The programme is administered by the JPO Service Center in Copenhagen. Denmark and initially for one year with possibility of extension for another one year, depending on satisfactory performance making a total of two years objective of the programme

Job Title: Junior Programme Officer, Sustainable Land Natural Resource Management

State of Origin: Cross River State
Agency: UNDP
Positions Level: P1
Unit of Assignment: Directorate, Division of Management & Administration
Country and Duty Station: Kenya
Duration of assignment: One year Renewable based on satisfactory performance

General Information
Positions Level: P1
Unit of Assignment: Directorate, Division of Management & Administration
Country and Duty Station: Kenya
Duration of assignment: One year Renewable based on satisfactory performance

Content and methodology of supervision:
Direct coaching and mentoring, consultative meetings, production and review of time-bound periodic outputs and reports. Semi-annual and annual appraisals. 

Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations:
Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader (Energy, Environment & Climate Change Unit) and the overall supervision of the Deputy Country Director for Programmes at UNDP Kenya; moreover in close collaboration with colleagues in the Country Office, government officers, officers of the UN Agencies in Kenya and other relevant partners the Programme Officer will undertake the following responsibilities.

• Within the context of UNDP Kenya’s new Country Program Document (CPD) support formulation design and implementation of projects focusing on building the capacity to protect the environment and sustainable utilization of natural resources towards eradication of poverty. This includes the extractive industry in Kenya and Sustainable Land Management.
• Contribute to development of national and regional projects for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funding to address global environmental issues within the mandates of national policies and obligations of various international conventions particularly the CCD and CBD.
• Contribute towards national policy formulation concerning issues relating to the regulatory framework for the natural resources sector in Kenya. Develop and support initiatives that address natural resource management and climate change adaptation nexus.
• Be the UNDP-Kenya focal point for Forest Donors Coordination Group.
• Using participatory approaches in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects ensure the involvement of all stakeholders with particular emphasis on impoverished grass-root communities.
• Support management and financial delivery of projects through preparation of requests through procurement and payments and budget revisions under Atlas, and following up Annual Project Reports, Financial Reports, Technical Reports, Project Delivery Reports and Combined Delivery Reports.
• Explore funding and partnership possibilities within the UN System as well as with the Public/Private sector under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), other donors and institutions encouraging co-funded combined programming to avoiding duplication and strengthening impact activities of the programme.
• Mobilize financial resources from development partners and from global environment funds and other funds.
• Participate in Unit meetings and periodically take minutes of the same.
• Undertake regular field missions to evaluate progress of ongoing projects including consultations with project personnel, target beneficiaries, implementing authorities and collaborating agencies and donors.
• Participate in consultative meetings within the UN system under UNDAF with special focus on Natural Resource Management and also with other partners and clients in the sector.
• Develop and manage briefings for colleagues, experts and visiting missions, maintain contact and liaise with stakeholders and national authorities.
• Promote identification, documentation and exchange of good practices of sustainable natural resource management within the relevant UNDP Knowledge Networks and between local communities in Kenya.
• Enrich the programme through outreach and establishment and maintenance within the environment and natural resources sector.
• Undertake other tasks that may be assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience:
Required Skills and Experience
Education (only Master's degree or equivalent):

• Post graduate degree in environmental science or natural resources or related fields.

Work Experience :

• 1 to 2 years pertinent work experience in the development, implementation and monitoring of community based development programmes/projects.
• Additionally the incumbent should have proven capacity in project management and resource mobilization.
• Age: Must not be more than 32 years on the date of application
• Language skill: Fluency in English language and ability to speak any UNDP official language is an added advantage.
• Information Technology skills, including word processing, database application (excel) presentation software (power point) and internet appreciation.
• An interest in adapting to varied physical environments; and a desire to work with people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds;
• Evidence of ability to think strategically, work independently and demonstrate a sense of self-assuredness.
• Respect for the UN principles of the United Nations Charter and the participating UN organisation’s mission statement.

Key Competencies of the assignment:

• Core Values and Corporate Commitment: Commitment to UN core values and making contributions to corporate initiatives on UNDP
• Teamwork: Team player leading and contributing to actively to team based activities
• Displays open and cooperative behaviour
• Relationship Building: Builds strong relationships with clients and partners
• Focuses on impact and results and anticipates evolving needs
• Managed conflicts and stress
• Task Management: Produces quality timely outputs
• Analyses problems and logically leading to fact-based and practical recommendations

Learning Expectations:
Upon completion of the assignment the officer will have experience in and knowledge of:

• Formulation design and implementation of GEF and community based programmes and projects emphasizing environmental protection and the utilization of natural resources towards eradication of poverty.
• The linkages between poverty and environment and the integration of environment in planning processes for sustainable development and eradication of poverty.
• Tools and methodologies for research and writing mission, evaluation, monitoring and assessment reports.
• Monitoring progress of projects using set baselines and indicators and field visits.
• Preparation and revision of project budgets using UNDP Programming Manual and Atlas and follow-up of programmers delivery through the use of established tools, practices and procedures.
• Organizing and executing workshops, effective chairing of meetings and recording proceeding of such meetings.
• Enhanced negotiating and diplomatic skills with government, bilateral partners and local communities for proactive formulation and implementation of development initiatives.
• Have a thorough knowledge of Kenya’s environment policies and sustainable development challenges.
• Have substantive knowledge of environment and other challenges facing developing countries and initiatives and strategies that are being put in place by national and international.

Mode of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note:

• All Vacancies sorted by State (Applicants are to apply for vacancies in their state of origin)

Application Deadline: 31st December, 2013 by 11:59pm